1) Montreal and much of the rest of Quebec are at a deceptive point in the second wave, as new #COVID19 cases have apparently plateaued in the city. In this thread, I will caution against jumping to conclusions and will call for the public release of more data in the #pandemic.

2) First, the good news: the number of net #COVID19 hospitalizations in the province has declined for the first time in almost two weeks. Quebec did not report any deaths in the past 24 hours. In Montreal, the city posted 227 cases Sunday, the lowest daily number since Sept. 23.

3) At the neighborhood level, the health district of Petite-Patrie—Villeray reported six #COVID19 cases, the lowest since Sept. 24. Other boroughs also declared much fewer infections. Keep in mind, though, that the government chart below frequently undercounts.

4) Do the latest numbers suggest that the partial lockdown that Health Minister Christian Dubé announced on Sept. 24 is starting to work? Are the collective efforts of Quebecers in following the latest public health measures in avoiding large gatherings beginning to pay off?

5) My answer to those questions is twofold: First, it’s far too early to draw conclusions amid high case numbers; and second, authorities aren't releasing enough data to gain a clear understanding of the latest trends. For example, what are the testing positivity rates by region?

6) Quebecers are entitled to this information, along with the percentage of #COVID19 cases linked to the workplace, eldercare facilities, schools, hospitals and homes. Over the weekend, a group of Canadian scientists launched a petition urging the government to release this data.

7) The petition below warns that "unless Quebec's pandemic response is transparent, clear, accurate, and consistent, countless more Quebecers will fall ill, and more lives will be needlessly lost." https://www.change.org/p/fran%C3%A7ois-legault-premier-of-quebec-covid-19-public-health-transparency-in-quebec?recruiter=875545659&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=share_petition

8) The government should also heed the advice of Dr. Mylène Drouin, director of the Montreal public health department, who argued last week against the yo-yo effect of lockdowns, followed by the easing of restrictions, followed by more lockdowns.

9) Until a vaccine that protects against #COVID19 becomes available and is administered to everyone — likely next spring at the earliest — Quebec must devise a minimum set of restrictions to follow in the #pandemic and stick to it. End of thread. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.